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My Milan: Michela Panero

Michela Panero creates beautiful and timeless jewellery pieces under the name Rosantica. Panero worked in the luxury fashion industry for many years before she launched her own company in 2007. Her handmade are inspired by Roman and Greek design and her pieces include multi-layered necklaces, bracelets and earrings, all inspired by her travels and by nature. Here she shares her insider knowledge of Milan, from fine dining to the best boutiques

‘I was born in the Piedmonte area of Italy and was raised in Brazil. I now live in Milan, in a very central neighbourhood. What I mostly like about Milan is that even though it offers many cultural and entertainment opportunities, it is neither too big nor too hectic.

‘My favourite shops in Milan include Excelsior, the new department store in the centre; it is so chic, and I love the food court downstairs. Corso Como 10 still remains an avant-garde location for research and newness and I absolutely adore Spazio Rossana Orlandi for design trends. It is also an exhibition place and there is always something to discover.

‘For food, I like Giacomo Bistrot, around the corner from where I live. The food is amazing, as well as the atmosphere. Antica Trattoria della Pesa opened in 1880 and is one of the oldest restaurants in Milan. You can eat typical Milanese food here. Trattoria Arlati isn’t so central but it's worth going to; it was the first restaurant in Milan that hosted musicians and it slowly became a place where artists would meet and make great things together.

‘When friends come to visit, I take them to see the old part of Milan, which for me is the most beautiful side of town. We have a very precious artistic heritage, including Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper. No doubt, the best museum is Pinacoteca di Brera. It has some incredible masterpieces, and includes work from artists including Mantegna and Canova.

‘Then we have the Navigli area of canals which is now full of pubs and cafés. Villa Necchi Campiglio is a house/museum with a restaurant and café inside. It is true inspiration, like travelling in time. There are many amazing buildings in Milan. One of which belongs to the Invernizzi family (the famous mozzarella makers) and believe it or not, it has flamingo birds in the park of the palace...in the centre of Milan!

‘For special occasions, there is a restaurant called Cracco, it is very expensive, but dining there is a culinary experience that must be tried at least once. There is a very fancy restaurant in Milan, Unico. It is on the rooftop of a 20-floor building: not only is the food very good, but the view is breathtaking.

‘It is very easy to walk around in Milan, since the city is flat and not too big. The Brera district is my favourite, but sometimes even just window shopping in Montenapoleone and Via della Spiga is quite an experience. The Milanese have amazing and unique tastes, so just watching people in the shopping district is a lesson in style and elegance.

‘Simple things such as taking walks, riding my scooter and going away for the weekend help me to relax. Milan is in a great location and within two hours you can go to the mountains, the sea or the lake.

‘Milan has lots of secret gardens, hidden inside historic buildings –

you have to look hard for them. Milan doesn't seem very green, but if you view it from above, you realise that in fact it is.

‘If I were a tourist in Milan, I would rent a bicycle and cycle around – getting lost is always the best way to get to know a new city.’